Handy Man Source » Solar Energy » 1973: Skylab 2 (NASA)
1973: Skylab 2 (NASA)
Skylab was originally launched 14 May 1973. Severe damage was sustained during launch, including the loss of the station's micrometeoroid shield/sun shade and one of its main solar panels. Debris from the lost micrometeoroid shield further complicated matters by pinning the remaining solar panel to the side of the station, preventing its deployment and thus leaving the station with a huge power deficit. The station underwent extensive repair during a spacewalk by the first crew, which launched on 25 May 1973. If the crew had failed to repair Skylab in time, the plastic insulation inside the station would have melted, releasing poisonous gas and making Skylab completely uninhabitable. They stayed in orbit with Skylab for 28 days.
Written by Handy Man
Local Handyman looking for ways to receive free energy and power without the high costs of the power companies.
Filed under: Solar Energy · Tags: 1973, 28 Days, Debris, Deployment, Launch, Nasa, Nasa Skylab, Orbit, Plastic Insulation, Poisonous Gas, Skylab, Solar Panel, Solar Panels, Spacewalk, Sun Shade
First on orbit repair it was really amazing they were able to save the station without things like an RMS and with the much more restrictive spacesuits of the day.
Interesting fact they ran the Apollo’s fuel cells until the cryogenics were expended to help power the station.
It was normal operation as afterwords Skylab would keep the CM batteries charged.